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The Distance Between Faith and Faithfulness

Aug 25
2 min read

In recovery there is an extremely important issue raised. A step speaks to "taking fearless moral inventory" as a regular habit. I would bet such is more rare among professing Christians than some might think. Begin with considering yourself and how often you do so and you'll benefit.


How often is there is a gap between our saving faith in Jesus and our walking it out in faithfulness? Faithful thinking, speaking, living from the heart and not mere lip-service isn't as automatic as some seem to think -is it?


It's like believing the moment one is married that adultery, lust in one's mind, with our eyes, (God forbid, relationships) all just completely disappear and we are never tempted again. Scripture tells us after the intense temptation in the wilderness the devil departed Jesus "until an opportune time". Believers must take care against "magic thinking" regarding temptations and the very real spiritual battles we face while on earth.


Mind you, I'm not talking about "lordship salvation" where we are told we must earn/work/deserve by our actions the mercy, forgiveness and eternal life Jesus brought us via the cross and resurrection. Yet I am indeed saying with James, "faith without works is dead" and unless genuine fruit springs up in our relationship with Jesus and others it's all about information in the head lacking heart and true faithfulness.


I've preached this for many years as it is the essential link far too many in the churches have not dealt with -and many have left the church along with even denying Jesus and leaving the Good News in the "rear view mirror" due to us saying one thing and doing something else.


God help us close the gap!!


As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn

 
 
 

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2 Comments

dansmx4212
Aug 25

Brother Glenn,


Thanks for writing this. It hits home hard. That gap between saying we believe in Jesus and actually walking it out day after day is real, and I’ve felt it plenty.


For me the toughest part of that gap is right in the mind. It’s a constant fight. Tempting thoughts show up uninvited, and sometimes I throw them out quick. Other times I fail and let them hang around too long. I used to think, “I’m a pretty solid guy, balanced, not that bad.” Then Scripture reminds me that even my best efforts are like filthy rags before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). Without Jesus standing in my place, I’m lost. Plain and simple.


Being faithful isn’t about…


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Aksu Naksu
Sep 06
Replying to

Well said. Todays sermon in my local church was about Elia and how he trusted the God even the most difficult circumstanced. How he obeyed the God and goes to Kerith ravine and let crows (unclean birds) feed him during the drought. How many of us would give up earthly comforts and go living in remote wilderness alone for a year? Or as long as God is willing so? Really inspiring in many ways - one as an example of faithfullness and another example how sometimes our life goes through deep ravines for purpose we do not then know. Thank you for both - Glenn and Dan(?) for todays words, they hit home.

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